Feb 16th

Mexico hadn't changed during their absence. The streets still hummed with activity, colourful streets, colourful characters and good Tequila. Breanna finished her current search on state of the art, cutting edge equipment.

Turning as the automatic doors whooshed open to the chatting group of men and women. Closing the program, Breanna walked to the centre of the room.

"Everyone settled in?" her question brought silence.

"Have you seen the gym in this place," Oran said, earning low whistles.

"Yeah, the workout machines are wicked," Reilly agreed.

"Never mind the gym," Kyle said, dropping into a chair. "The kitchen has every possible appliance and the selection of food," he kissed the tip of his fingers, "out of this world."

"You just have to stay alive long enough to enjoy it," Tania quipped, leaning back in the chair rocking onto its back legs.

Chuckles and agreements met her words.

"Good, I'm glad everyone's finding the new digs to their liking. Michael requested a unit name," she continued, "apparently referring to us as the enhanced group isn't snappy."

"What about the Xmen?" Jarred called, leaning against the back wall.

"I think that's taken," Breanna laughed, "write down any suggestions."

The doors whooshed open, showing David dusting at his shirt front before entering, "Sorry I'm late."

"Are The Tina's okay?" Breanna asked.

"Yes," he said, blushing a little, "they're settling in. Thanks for making them feel welcome."

"You got hugged, didn't you?" Tula grinned,

"Yeah," David blushed hard, "the one hugs so much I wonder what her enhancement is."

"Strength," Cara said, sinking into a chair Oran vacated for her, "she's practising hugging gently."

"Do they know their abilities?" Breanna asked.

David inhaled deeply, "Tina has an idea. I left them discussing the subject again."

Breanna nodded, "I'll pick it up with them. In a few days, the molecular gun conference is happening," Breanna said, moving to a large round table. "We have been able to pull detailed floor plans of the building. Our intel indicates the entire building is being used."

"Rather elaborate for a conference," Tania murmured.

"Which floor is the conference on?" Clio asked.

"We're not sure," David said, glancing at Breanna, "or is there fresh intel?"

"None so far. Michael is scanning for anything new," Breanna said, "at the moment, we are not sure where the players or the device will be."

"The last I heard is the targeted players are unknown," David said, watching Hana pick up a photograph, hold it and start writing, "Hana, what you got?"

"Names. It will take a bit of digging to know military or civilian apart. Darcia could be using anyone," she said, pushing a list of names across the table, "I don't recognise any of them."

Breanna pulled the list toward David and herself. Nothing looked familiar as they both shook their heads.

"Nothing pops off the page," Breanna sighed, "look into who these people are and see if we cannot link faces with Darcia's recruits."

"Keep an eye for civilian scientists as well as military," David said, pushing the list back to Hana, "Darcia said she cloned those she recruited. It doesn't mean she doesn't have the actual beings working for her. Good work."

"Putting together everything we know, we have been able to come up with a way to get into the building," Breanna said, pulling a few maps and charts into view. "If we have missed anything, speak up."

Breanna and David went through the options discussed, laying them out clearly.

"Does Everyone understand? Any questions? Any observations? Is everyone happy?" Breanna asked.

Silence met her questions for so long she began turning from the table when Jarred spoke.

"You can't carry this out in one group. You need at least two. One on-site and the other at the base," raising questioning eyes to David and Breanna, "who is leading us into combat and who is heading up the base team?"

"Direct as always," David cleared his throat, "I'll be leading the combat team."

"The base team will be under my command," Breanna said quietly, "but the base team are not sitting safely out of the way. We are going mobile in case back-up is required."

"We have a mobile base?" Oran looked surprised.

"Since this morning," Breanna nodded, "our sponsors thought of it before we did."

"When are we moving out?" Valencia asked.

"The conference is supposed to be Sunday," David said, "we'll arrive before everyone else and deploy from inside the building."

Nods came from around the table, "Who are the teams?"

"We don't know who the combat unit will be up against," Breanna said, "so Kyle, Cara, Jarred, Oran, Fiona and Clio will be going with David."

"Valencia, Hana, Scott, Tania, and Tula will be with Breanna," David said over a murmured ripple in the group.

"Why don't I get to take out the bad guys?" Tania complained.

"Your abilities will be needed if there is a breach in the mobile command centre," Breanna said with a hard stare, "each of you is in the relevant team for a reason."

"Anyone else got something to say?" David waited, "good, let's break up and get ourselves prepared for this."

The doors swished as Breanna turned from the table. Michael strode in the look on his face making Breanna pause in her stride.

"Bre," Michael stopped next to her, "we have a problem."

Taking the sheet of paper Michael held out, Breanna read quickly and carefully. Had she missed something?

"What is this?" Breanna asked, feeling the chill run the length of her body.

"Someone leaked the abilities of everyone in this team to an internet journalist," he whispered, "it's heading out as we speak."

"That is not good. We cannot do what we are required to with our faces plastered everywhere for everyone to see," Breanna muttered.

"I'm aware of that," Michael ground out, "I've been looking for the website, but it seems to bounce everywhere."

"People knowing about our freaky side will cause absolute panic in the population," Breanna said, "where did you find this?"

"It popped up while looking into another matter," Michael rubbed his face with his hands, "who would have done this?"

"Darcia," Breanna said flatly, "Kyle, can you help Michael with the website this article is on."

"Sure thing," Kyle nodded.

Silently Breanna handed him the sheet of paper, "You're going to find where that came from. Takedown the website, the server, and the computer it came from."

"This is bad … very bad. I'll do my best. I don't know about the computer," Kyle said, "but I will be able to locate the original website."

"Breanna," Cara called, "one of Tina's group would like to help you with … the article."

"How do they know about it?" Breanna turned to look past Cara to one of the women standing in the doorway.

"She was on one of the computers in the library," Cara said, "she located Micheal's distress through the machine."

Michael motioned for the woman to come forward, "Can you locate the original website?"

Nodding, she moved to a computer, typed out the web address, opened a strange-looking window and typed.

"The original website is still there and running. I cannot locate the original computer at the moment," she said, "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"You have been amazing," Breanna said, gently touching the woman's arm, "thank you. Do you have a name other than a Tina?"

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

A smile broke out, "Yes, I'm Calla," she whispered, "the only one named Tina is the original."

"Okay," Breanna smiled back, "Calla, can you work with Kyle toward his objectives. We need to take down any computer and website this article is on or linked to."

"Certainly," she nodded, "what kind of virus would you like sent?"

"Virus?" Breanna froze, her gaze snapping back to Calla, "you can send a virus?"

"Absolutely," she nodded, "I just have to design the effect in my mind, and it goes to the computer or website I locate."

"Handy," Breanna smiled, "we need something giving us the information we need require before wiping everything from it and disabling it for good."

Calla nodded, "Consider it done."

"Wow," Kyle muttered, pulling out a chair for her to sit, "is that entry-level, or are there more layers to you?"

Calla slowly walked toward him, sitting in the chair.

"I don't know what you mean," she said, bewildered.

Kyle began explaining, and Calla visibly relaxed. Breanna smiled as they continued chatting and working together.

Turning away from the pair, Breanna saw Tina standing worriedly on the other side of the door. Smiling and nodding, Breanna motioned for Tina to enter.

"I'm sorry, Breanna," Tina said quietly, "I didn't know she would be coming here."

"Relax," Breanna said, "the more help we have, the better. Why don't you bring the rest of them in? Let them be part of all of this."

"Are you sure? They're civilians."

"So is Valencia," Breanna said, "she can't fight, but she has abilities and right now, with the article Calla and Kyle are getting rid of, we need all hands on deck."

"Okay," Tina smiled, motioning for the others to enter, "they came with me."

"I understand each has been named," Breanna said, "I have met Calla."

"I'm Iris," one of the Tina's provided a name, carefully pulling a necklace from under her top, letting the name hang between two gold chains. The others mimicked her action. Breanna glanced questioningly at Tina.

"Michael had them made for us," Tina said, displaying her own, "he thought it may help us with individuality and identity of our own."

"Nice," Breanna said, "did you choose your names yourselves?"

"Tina named us," the one named Rose said quietly, "very generous of her."

"Your names are Calla, Iris, Rose and ..." Breanna looked at the last woman who hugged a lot, "Daisy. You're all named after flowers."

"For the beauty within," Tina whispered, "regardless of what they are enhanced to do, we all have a choice to be beautiful."

Breanna smiled, "David spoke well of you," Breanna said, "I understand why."

"Bre," Valencia called, hurrying through the doors. "The combat team packs are laid out. Tania, Fiona and Cara are checking everything. David will recheck them before the packs are handed out," she looked at the clipboard in her hand. "The mobile vehicle is functional and ready to go. It's like a home from home."

"Brilliant," Breanna nodded, "Valencia, meet Iris, Daisy, and Rose. Calla is over there working with Kyle," Breanna pointed to the pair with their heads together, "Tina, you know."

Valencia looked from one to the other, nodding, "Do you want to be involved in any way?"

"We'd love to," Iris, Rose and Daisy chorused.

Tina remained silently worried.

"Wonderful," Valencia smiled, "do you have abilities?"

"We can't fight," Iris spoke up timidly.

"We wouldn't know the front from the back of a weapon," Rose added.

Daisy nodded in agreement, and Tina shuffled nervously.

"There is enough to do around here without needing a fighter," Valencia said, "I'm not a combat person either," she noticed Tina's concern, "stop worrying. If you have abilities, tell us about them."

"But I don't have any abilities," Tina said, "shall I stay out of the way or go back to our room?"

Valencia locked eyes with Tina, staring at her hard, "Do you breath?"

"Yes," Tina frowned, glancing around the small group.

"Do you have hands? A brain? A heart?"

"Um, yes," Tina said, bewilderment creasing her face.

"Then you have abilities that we need," Valencia said. "You may not have the ability to use your mind to punch people, or kill people, or move an object, or read electronics, but you can feed those who can. You can help with anyone sick or injured or even help orientate refugees. We have lots to do," Valencia looked at Breanna, "Micheal is here with the re-posts… they are on their way here."

Breanna nodded, turning to the door. She could sense them. Especially one of them. Each was emotional, tense and worried. Michael appeared on the other side of the glass door. Breanna was alarmed by his pale face, shallow breathing, and sheen of sweat showing across his forehead and above his lip.

"Val, take care of the ladies," she said, moving toward the door.

"David, Tula, Clio," Breanna called, keeping eye contact with Michael. A movement in the passage drew her attention to six heavily muscled men standing in a small circle behind him.

"Those are the new arrivals Breanna," Valencia said, "but... there were seven."

Breanna looked at three of the six faces. They were head and shoulders over Michael, which put them at nearly seven feet. David, Tula and Clio mirrored their positions on either side of Breanna.

"Kyle, scan for the seventh," Breanna called, keeping eye contact with Michael, "find him and contain him."

"Daisy?" Tina called, "what are you doing?"

Breanna looked around to see Daisy walk toward the closed sliding door reaching for the release button. Breanna immediately gripped her in a mental hold.

"Let me go," she said, staring at the door, "he wants to come in. I can sense how badly he wants to come in."

"Who wants to come in? Breanna said, "what do you sense?"

"The very tall one at the back in the baseball cap," Daisy said, "he is strongly enhanced. Almost as strong as you."

"Why does he want to come in?" Breanna asked.

"Bre," Valencia said quietly, "he thinks you are Darcia."

"Who is he?" Breanna said, releasing Daisy.

She found the man with the baseball cap. He was the one she sensed. Walking to the intercom, Breanna pushed the two-way communication button.

"Michael," she nodded, "who are these..." she looked at the group around him, "... people."

"Hey Breanna," he said pointedly, "these are the re-posts I told you about."

"Who is the one at the back in the baseball cap?" Breanna asked.

"I could tell you, but you'll think I'm lying," he swallowed hard.

"Don't tell me Darcia has cloned a group of military giants," she scoffed, "are these all authentic?"

"Yes. All authentic. Not one clone," Michael said, "they are their own people."

"Baseball cap," Breanna addressed the tall man standing directly behind Michael, "take it off. Let's see who you are."

The group around him shuffled nervously.

"They're uncomfortable with him being ordered around," Valencia whispered, "I think he is the unit commander."

Slowly he raised his hand, pulling off the cap displaying short, spiky ebony hair. He raised grey eyes to meet Breanna's startled expression.

"Oh my ..." she said, breathing heavily, slowing moving in front of the door, "Craig."

Breanna felt the bottom of her world drop out. Questions slammed through her numb mind.

"You know him," David asked.

Breanna nodded numbly, "He's my eldest brother," she whispered, "he's supposed to be dead. Michael, is this a sick joke?" Breanna spoke softly, disbelievingly, "you know he is … was... dead."

"No joke Bre," Michael shook his head, meeting her gaze, "I'm as shocked as you. The DNA and blood tests prove this is Craig. Our Craig."

Breanna snapped her gaze from Craig's assessing hard stare to Michael's beseeching, message-filled one. Flashing memory sparked a younger, happier time when that phrase was used. In those times, Craig either knew what they had done or suspected. Saying it now meant Craig knew what Darcia was doing, and he either suspected Breanna to be part of it or a clone of Darcia.

"Can we come in … Breanna?" his deep velvet voice slipped through the communications device.

Breanna nodded numbly before glancing over at Kyle and Calla, "Let them in."

Clio stepped up next to Breanna, "That's your eldest brother?"

"Yep," Breanna answered.

"Damn girl," Clio rubbed her chin, "your family gene pool produces gorgeous men."

"Thanks," Breanna chuckled slightly, "keep your mind on the job."

"I'll try," Clio smiled back widely, "that's much better," gently squeezing Breanna's shoulder, "there's our fearless leader."

"Thanks," Breanna sighed, "not sure I know how to process this."

"Slowly," Clio said, nodding at Michael heading their way and returning to her workstation.

Michael walked up to Breanna, breathing heavily, "Don't say anything, don't flinch, just hug me back," he said, gently taking Breanna in a hug, "if I don't hug you, he will kill you."

Breanna gently hugged Michael back, sudden memories flashing through her mind, "Why would he kill me?"

"Craig remembers you hugged everyone, all the time, for any reason," Michael whispered in her ear, "do you remember?"

"I feel like I should," Breanna whispered, "are you all right?"

"Sure," Michael said with false bravado, "nothing like seeing your dead brother walk through the door and wonder what the hell you're doing staring at him like a ghost."

Nodding Breanna, gently cupped his cheek, "You can breathe," she winked at him, "who are the others?"

"Some are his old unit," Michael turned, watching the group, "and the others are just single entities."

Craig stepped out of the group stopping in front of David, "My team and I would like to be taken to our quarters so we can clean up and report for duty."

Anger flared in Breanna. She recognised the move for what it was. A unit headed by a woman was not tolerated in many traditional circles. Starting the gender game, Craig told Breanna everything she needed to know about her brother. The game was on. He knew she ran this unit. It was clear he would not report to a woman. If he thought she was Darcia, he was about to be mistaken. This version of herself did not bow to another person. Breanna watched David narrow his eyes on Craig. David crossed his arms over his chest cocking his head while squaring up to the man built like a human tank.

"What makes you think I can give you and your team those requirements?"

Craig bristled, squaring up to David, "We have been re-posted here," Craig muttered, "therefore you should have quarters for us."

"Again, I ask, what makes you think I can give you what you want," David snarled.

Rolling her eyes, Breanna shook her head, too much testosterone in one space. Ignoring the two men, she moved past them.

"Tula, calm these two down," Breanna said, "Valencia tell Cara I need Fiona to scan for whatever may be found, inside or out." Breanna stopped at the table, looking at the maps and charts, "Val, Cara is required here with Fiona and Tania. Oh ... do a special intro … with your flavour."

"My flavour?" Valencia's eye sparkled.

"Any flavour you see fit," Breanna glanced at her winking.

"Okay," Valencia said, pushing the clipboard in front of Breanna and pointing at the bottom of the board.

Breanna locked on the words Valencia pointed out.

• Calla – electronic reading of web pages by subject, virus maker and sender

• Iris – can use other people's abilities … sometimes in combination, not sure of intensity

• Rose – can locate injury and reduce further internal harm, may even be able to assess the severity of the injury, can find foreign objects within the body.

• Daisy – immense strength, can sense the level of the enhanced person and has super speed – faster than other enhanced beings.

Breanna looked up at Valencia, who stared intently at Craig, "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely," Valencia said, blinking and looking away from Craig's own unblinking stare, "tension, mistrust, doubt, and a million minor emotions which I can't see." Valencia glared back at Craig and the others, "too much interference been thrown up."

"Brick wall?" Breanna asked quietly.

"Found the seventh," Kyle called, "he's just hacked the code for the arms room."

"Shut him down," Breanna said as she waited for Valencia's answer.

"Getting a lot of static," Valencia said quietly, "you have to get to the arms room; there is a standoff. Cara says it's definitely one of Craig's men … he did a recon of his own."

"Thanks," Breanna said. "Hana, get what you can from here," handing documents over, Breanna turned, calling as she walked to the doors. "Scott, David, Clio, Tula, Oran and..." turning to her eldest brother, "Craig, follow me."

"Why am I to listen to a woman?" he scoffed.

"If you don't want to stop, what will inevitably happen in the training room to your man," Breanna shrugged, "stay here."

Turning, she strode from the room with the selected group behind her.